CBS Miami » Back To Schoolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com
News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and Miami's BestTue, 31 Mar 2015 22:04:41 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://0.gravatar.com/blavatar/0984ebcee75feff1a6ce7f3d00419048?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png » Back To Schoolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com
Five Fun Activities To Get The Family Outdoorshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/five-fun-activities-to-get-the-family-outdoors/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/five-fun-activities-to-get-the-family-outdoors/#commentsWed, 22 Oct 2014 11:55:40 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=311528Make this a summer to remember for the whole family with these five ways to bring everyone together while enjoying the warmer weather.]]>

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

September is practically around the corner, and that means another summer will soon be over. Make sure this summer is one the whole family will always remember by getting everyone off the couch and into the great outdoors. These five activities will create plenty of bonding time while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

Whitewater rafting can be the adventure of a lifetime. Whether you’re a family of thrill seekers taking on the Youghiogheny River or just looking to wade down the American; these rafting destinations offer something for everyone.

If sitting back and relaxing is more your family’s cup of tea, taking in a minor league baseball game might be the perfect way to spend an evening out. Minor league games are often much more cost-effective than their major league counterparts and smaller ballparks like Jerry Uht Park provide an intimate family experience.

Family camping trips are as American as baseball and apple pie. Throw some tents in the car or rent an RV to reconnect with those you love the most, away from all the distractions and stressors of everyday life. Rough it in Yosemite Valley, kick back in the Douglas Recreation Area or get the best of both worlds somewhere in between.

Few experiences bring a family closer together than helping those in need. Join Habitat for Humanity to build homes for the less fortunate in your community or any number of other volunteer activities.

The slow pace and laid back nature of this sport combines physical activity with a chance to talk and really enjoy each other’s company. From the iconic Augusta National to the gorgeous Pebble Beach, these courses are definitely worth a trip.

Matt Weiss is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Best Of and Travel. Follow him on Twitter.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/five-fun-activities-to-get-the-family-outdoors/feed/0Time-Saving Tips For Healthy School Luncheshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/time-saving-tips-for-healthy-school-lunches/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/time-saving-tips-for-healthy-school-lunches/#commentsMon, 25 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=309376With creative planning and the right containers, packing a quick and healthy lunch can be as easy as ABC and 123!]]>

Those pre-portioned packs of crackers, cheese and lunch meat sure have major kid appeal, but they’re a serious drain on your wallet and none too healthy, either. The speed with which you can toss them in your child’s lunch bag sure is appealing, though. Feeling tempted to rely on them for quick and easy lunchbox packing? Think again! The following ideas can help you pack a healthy school lunch in a flash.

When you’ve already done a majority of the prep work, packing lunches in the evening is a snap.

Over the weekend, wash and chop fruits and veggies, so they’re ready to go. Carrot sticks, broccoli florets, pepper rings, cucumber slices and grape tomatoes are good vegetables to prepare in advance. For fruits, cube melons, de-stem grapes and rinse berries.

Snacky side items items like flavored rice cakes, pretzels and popcorn can also be divided into single-serving containers ahead of time.

And did you know that you can make a huge batch of sandwiches and freeze them?

Peanut butter and jelly: Use whole-grain bread, natural peanut-butter and low-sugar jelly. To keep the jelly from soaking into the bread, spread it between two layers of peanut butter.

Lunch meat: Condiments need to be away from the bread, so put them between the layers of nitrate-free lunch meat and natural cheese. A thin layer of butter on each slice of bread offers extra protection. Lettuce, tomato and pickles should not be added until just before eating

Chicken or tuna salad: Once again, a thin layer of butter will keep the bread from becoming soggy. Use a tablespoon or less of mayonnaise for each sandwich, and steer clear of add-ins, like celery, grapes or hard-boiled eggs.

Wrap each sandwich individually and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before eating.

The hot meat that you served for supper might also make a good cold sandwich. Pack slices of roast beef, chicken or meatloaf in your child’s lunchbox. Include a roll or slices of bread that your kid can fill with the meat right before eating. Just remember to pack perishable food with an ice pack

An insulated container, like the Thermos FUNtainer Food Jar, is a handy for taking hot food to school. Make extra spaghetti or soup the night before, then in the morning, fill the container with the heated leftovers. The container will keep the contents warm for hours.

Think Reusable

Photo Credit Meghan Ross

School lunches can be a major source of waste, but you can cut back on that by investing in reusable containers. However, washing multiple plastic bowls every night quickly gets old. Instead, look for divided containers, so you have only one dish to wash per kid.

There are plenty of options on the market, but Easy Lunchboxes are especially nice. They snap firmly closed, stack neatly in the cabinet and are BPA-free. Plus, they’re low-cost, which is nice, since it’s almost guaranteed that your child will eventually misplace one.

Want the speed of juice boxes without the waste? Purchase several reusable drink bottles per kid. On the weekend, fill each with water or 100% juice. Store them in the refrigerator, so all you have to do when filling lunchboxes is pull one out and toss it in the box.

Packing a healthy lunch doesn’t have to take all night. With creative planning and the right containers, it can be as easy as ABC and 123!

Meghan Ross is a freelance writer covering all things home and living. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/time-saving-tips-for-healthy-school-lunches/feed/0Unaccompanied Minors In Miami Take English Classes On 1st Day Of Schoolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/unaccompanied-minors-in-miami-take-english-classes-on-1st-day-of-school/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/unaccompanied-minors-in-miami-take-english-classes-on-1st-day-of-school/#commentsTue, 19 Aug 2014 00:22:25 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=319323The crisis of thousands of unaccompanied minors crossing the Mexican border is being felt across the United States and in South Florida as well.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The crisis of thousands of unaccompanied minors crossing the Mexican border is being felt across the United States and in South Florida as well.

The unaccompanied minors are being housed at three local shelters—including a place formerly known as Boys Town in Cutler Bay.

Miami Congressman Joe Garcia, on Monday, and Miami-Dade County School Board Member Raquel Regalado visited the center.

Even though the kids don’t go to school, like many other children their age, they did take English classes at the facility.

“This being the first day of school, we wanted to make sure these children were getting the right treatment and yeah they’re going to school.” said Rep. Joe Garcia. “This is not a burden on our local school board, this is not a burden on our local government but we wanted to make sure.”

In all, the Feds say 50,000 children, mostly from Central America, have crossed the border without their parents since October of last year.

Miami is one of ten cities where kids are being sent for immigration proceedings, as border shelters fill up.

“Obviously the cameras can’t go and speak to them because they’re minors and we have to respect their privacy but as an elected, it really is heartwarming to talk to them and how excited they are to be reunited with their families,” said Regalado.

The local facilities are being funded by faith-based charities and the federal government.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/cbs4-viewers-share-their-back-to-school-photos/feed/1Broward Schools Superintendent Looks Forward To New Yearhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/broward-schools-superintendent-looks-forward-to-new-year/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/broward-schools-superintendent-looks-forward-to-new-year/#commentsMon, 18 Aug 2014 21:35:37 +0000cbs4maclauchlanhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=319093More than 260,000 children in Broward were up early for the first day of school Monday morning. With the start of the new school year, students and parents should be aware of some changes.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1808201417351520283AA.mp4

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – More than 260,000 children in Broward were up early for the first day of school Monday morning.

According to district officials, 4,000 breakfast and 116,000 lunch meals were served and 1,400 school buses transported more than 80,000 students.

Nearly a 100 of those buses were recently bought – they run on propane.

“They are highly efficient and helps us to save thousands of gallons of fuel, tens of thousands of gallons of fuel,” said schools Superintendent Robert Runcie. “They also cause less pollution.”

With the start of the new school year, students and parents should be aware of some changes.

The district has expanded its current personalized learning environment initiatives and added a new digital infusion program.

This year, before and after school child care will roll out extended learning opportunity program with specialized classes which will be offered for a fee. Classes range from ceramics to creating, and designing, 3D virtual games.

There’s also a new office of parent engagement which will help families and schools by providing access to resources that can help improve results in the classroom.

Another addition is that debate will now be offered in every high school and all middle schools. Also, middle school athletics are back with the addition of volleyball and flag football. Scholastic chess is being added to second and third grade classes.

High school students will be able to take advanced computer science classes.

The district has also added ‘three’ K-8 schools. That means some students will no longer attend a middle school but stay in their elementary school grades six through eight. Runcie told CBS4 that he expects more schools to go toward the K-8 model in the coming years although some middle schools will remain.

The biggest change however is the end of the controversial FCAT testing system.

Beginning in the Spring of 2015 students will begin a new state devised testing system to prove they are making the grade.

“The FCAT was about facts. The new world is can you apply what you’ve learned to solve real world problems,” explains Runcie.

The district plans to hold seven town hall style meetings, beginning in September, where parents and students can express their concerns with the school board members and Superintendent Robert Runcie.

“We are off to the start of a never great new year,” said Runcie as he toured a school bus depot in Pompano Beach Monday morning. “I’m really looking forward to looking forward to having our students and our teachers back. We just really hope to continue building the hopes and dreams of our students.”

While the kids were generally excited about the first day back, some of their parents said while it may be a new year, they still have old concerns.

“We need more computers in school so kids can be up to speed on technology, like they have the STEM program in some schools, they need to be in all schools,” said parent Deanna St. Julian.

An $800 million dollar bond issue could be the answer to those concerns. The school district will ask voters to approve it this November. The money would be used to renovate older schools in disrepair, build classrooms to replace portables and purchase a number of other items.

“We pay for our music and band equipment through capital dollars, for athletic equipment, all of our building renovations, our roofs, ADA compliance, everything on our buildings and also technology,” said Runcie.

Runcie plans to visit a number of schools on the first back to get a feel as for how the day is going and then issue his ‘report card’ on what he found.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/broward-schools-superintendent-looks-forward-to-new-year/feed/0Thousands Head Back To Class In Miami-Dadehttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/thousands-head-back-to-class-in-miami-dade/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/thousands-head-back-to-class-in-miami-dade/#commentsMon, 18 Aug 2014 21:20:56 +0000cbs4maclauchlanhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=319085The long, hot days of summer are a thing of the past for hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade school kids as they headed back to class Monday for the start of the new year.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1808201417113151556AA.mp4

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The long, hot days of summer are a thing of the past for hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade school kids as they headed back to class Monday for the start of the new year.

Over the weekend, as many parents shopped for last minute supplies, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho kept busy with a tour the iPrep Academy where classrooms are outfitted with laptops for every student, and even a workout facility in place of a physical education class. He also met with some teachers and students who said they were looking forward to the new school year.

Monday morning, Carvalho stopped by a bus depot in north Miami-Dade to check in with the drivers and stress safety while they were out on the road. More than 60,000 children in the county used school buses as a means for transportation.

“We ran trial runs last week, they went off without a hitch,” said Carvalho. “This is a massive endeavor. We operate the largest school bus fleet in the world. So be patient on the first day of school, actually the first week of school. We expect our transportation system to run to on time but there is always the possibility for a delay.”

Whether they road the bus, drove, rode their bicycles, walked, or were driven to school with friends or parents, first day jitters were not uncommon.

“I’m worried I won’t be in the same class as the people I was in last year,” said fifth grader Samuel Delgado.

Beatriz Delgado’s fifth grader and pre-kindergartner both came to Twin Lakes Elementary in Hialeah freshly outfitted in school uniforms. Little Simon was looking forward to this moment all summer.

“The best part is go to school,” said Simon.

Not everyone shared Delgado’s enthusiasm.

“I fought with him to get out of bed. We’ve been at it since 6:30. He’s like ‘I’m tired, can we wait, can we go late,” said Iliana Mediana, mother of another Twin Lakes fifth grader.

While everything went fairly smoothly for the first day of the ‘kids are back in school traffic’, it was far from perfect.

“Hiccups are natural, this is like reawakening the sleeping giant from the summer nap,” said Carvalho. “When you introduce 1,250 buses on the streets, you combine that with rush hour traffic, there are going to be a couple of delays.”

Carvalho added that if parents want their children to have a good year, there are a couple of things they can do.

“Get them to school on time, feed them before they come here, speak with them about respect, responsibility and restraint and make them feel good about the process of education,” said Carvalho.

Miami-Dade is the fourth largest school district in the nation. Approximately 355,000 children attend nearly 400 schools in the county.

The new school year brings many changes, including a new Florida standards assessment test.

The Miami-Dade School District leaders said teachers have received training to meet the new requirements.

Parents will be able to apply online for free and reduced lunches for students.

This year students are being encouraged to b-y-o-d: bring your own device. That means cell phones, tablets and laptops. Every school in the district now has wifi.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/18/thousands-head-back-to-class-in-miami-dade/feed/1It’s Down-To-The-Wire For Students Prepping To Go Back To Schoolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/its-down-to-the-wire-for-students-prepping-to-go-back-to-school/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/its-down-to-the-wire-for-students-prepping-to-go-back-to-school/#commentsMon, 18 Aug 2014 03:24:46 +0000cbs4scrogginshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=319049 Many parents spent most of Sunday getting their kids ready to go back to school.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1708201423092632555AA.mp4

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Many parents spent most of Sunday getting their kids ready to go back to school.

Monday is the first day of school for most South Florida kids.

For some parents, filling up that back-pack means digging deep in their wallets.

Shopping centers swarmed with families getting ready for the first day of school Sunday afternoon.

“The best part of all of my school supplies is my pencil pouch,” said Francisco Romero.

Little Francisco is excited about Monday morning.

He was out with his mom, brother and cousins getting some last-minute items Sunday.

“Going back to school shopping is very expensive. At least in uniforms, it’s almost about 40-50 dollars. It’s pretty much a hundred dollars a kid between uniforms and school supplies,” said mom Tatiana Romero.

The Miami mom said she and her husband budget and save just for back to school shopping.

Huntington Bank released its yearly estimate of back to school costs and found the price for a back-pack, uniforms and other supplies can cost as much as $642 for elementary school children.

It gets even more expensive as children get older making it hard many low-income parents to prepare their kids for back to school.

“These are individuals who show up at school sometimes literally, barefoot, without the appropriate clothing, without school supplies, without the things that we as human beings take for granted,” said Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

For those students, the Miami-Dade School District hosted a day of shopping.

Low in-come students could get the stuff they need for school for free.

Parents will be able to apply online for free and reduced lunches for students.

At the hi-tech iPrep Academy, classrooms are outfitted with laptops for every student, and even a work-out facility in place of a physical education class.

“But we don’t go to a regular high school. We go to a different high school, it’s not the traditional Miami high,” said iPrep Academy junior Nancy Hernandez.

The Miami-Dade County Public School Superintendent was there the night before the start of the school year, saying the school was a model for the future of the district.

“I always feel that the day before the new school year it’s like this slow re-awakening of this sleeping giant from its summer nap,” said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “360,000 kids come back to school, 23,000 teachers, 52,000 employees in all including bus drivers and cafeteria workers.”

The new school year brings many changes, including a new Florida standards assessment test.

The Miami-Dade School District leaders said teachers have received training to meet the new requirements.

Students will be encouraged to b-y-o-d: bring your own device. That means cell phones, tablets and laptops. Every school in the district now has wifi.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/its-down-to-the-wire-for-students-prepping-to-go-back-to-school/feed/3Do You Know The Rules Of The Road Around School Buses?http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/do-you-know-the-rules-of-the-road-around-school-buses/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/do-you-know-the-rules-of-the-road-around-school-buses/#commentsSun, 17 Aug 2014 22:55:58 +0000cbs4scrogginshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=319061Do you know the rules of the road when it comes to school buses on the roads?]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Do you know the rules of the road when it comes to school buses on the roads?

As students go back to school, Monday, drivers will need to pay closer attention to buses.

Source: DHSMV

In Florida, drivers must stop upon approaching any school bus which displays its flashing red lights and has its stop signs extended.

Drivers are not allowed to pass the bus while it is stopped and displaying its stop signal.

Once the signal has been fully withdrawn, a driver may pass.

Passing a bus with the signal extended is a moving violation and will result in a ticket.

However, a driver on a divided highway with an unpaved space of a least five feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which is stopped in accordance with the provisions.

School buses will stop as far to the right of the street as possible and display all lights and signals required by the state.

According to a Florida Department of Education survey conducted in April 2012, more than 21,000 drivers illegally passed school buses on a one day survey. That represents over 3.7 million possible violations by motorists in Florida during the 180-day school year, reported FloridaSchoolBusSafety.gov.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/17/do-you-know-the-rules-of-the-road-around-school-buses/feed/0New School Year Brings Some Changes For South Florida Studentshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/16/new-school-year-means-some-changes-for-south-florida-students/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/16/new-school-year-means-some-changes-for-south-florida-students/#commentsSat, 16 Aug 2014 16:02:21 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=318767Bells will sound Monday morning, ringing in the first day of the 2014-2015 school year.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Bells will sound Monday morning, ringing in the first day of the 2014-2015 school year.

A new year, another grade, fresh faces, and new teachers are all in store—and so are some changes in both Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools.

For starters, in Miami-Dade County, a pilot program will be implemented this year which will test student athletes on performance enhancing drugs.

Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, at the beginning of August, laid out his plan for the new school year. He spoke about drug testing, touched on increasing graduation rates, and mentioned the importance of getting unaccompanied minors support.

On Thursday, Miami-Dade County held a dry run for buses—in preparation to transport roughly 60,000 kids Monday morning.

“Monday is the first day of school and we are slowly but methodically re-awakening a sleeping giant from its summer nap,” Carvalho said Thursday. “Safety first so it’s hard for me to pass up on an opportunity to catch up with bus drivers and bus aides.”

The fleet of propane buses for the school district, which has over 260,000 students, is the largest such purchase in the nation’s history, according to the district.

Propane buses aren’t the only thing new.

Another addition for the 2014-2014 school year is that debate will now be offered in every high school and all middle schools .

Middle school athletics are back with the addition of of volleyball and flag football .

Scholastic chess is being added to second and third grade classes.

High school students will be able to take advanced computer science classes.

The district is also adding ‘three’ K-8 schools. That means some students will no longer attend a middle school but stay in their elementary school grades six through eight.

Superintendent Robert Runcie tells CBS 4 that he expects more schools to go toward the K-8 model in the coming years although some middle schools will remain.

The biggest change however is the end of the controversial FCAT testing system.

Beginning in the Spring of 2015 students will begin a new state devised testing system to prove they are making the grade.

“The FCAT was about facts. The new world is can you apply what you’ve learned to solve real world problems,” explains Runcie.

The Superintendent who is now making three full years with the District (his contract was extended to 2019) says one of his top priorities is to get the $800 million dollar bond issue passed in November that will be used to renovate older schools in disrepair and build real classrooms to replace portables in the overcrowded newer schools.

“We’re going to have a great school year. I welcome back all students, teachers, and support staff,” said Runcie.

Runcie plans to visit a half dozen schools on Monday and then hold a news conference Monday afternoon to give an overview of how the first day went.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/16/new-school-year-means-some-changes-for-south-florida-students/feed/2New Year Brings Changes For Broward County Public Schoolshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/15/broward-to-roll-out-98-new-propane-fueled-buses/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/15/broward-to-roll-out-98-new-propane-fueled-buses/#commentsFri, 15 Aug 2014 21:50:03 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=318714Just one more weekend of summer left, meaning students will be back in the classroom—and some back on the bus—come Monday morning.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1508201417211879832AA.mp4

BROWARD (CBSMiami) – Just one more weekend of summer left, meaning students will be back in the classroom—and some back on the bus—come Monday morning.

Some Broward students, who use the bus, may notice a much quieter ride to school for the new school year.

Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest public school system in the United States and the second largest in the state, will introduce 98 brand new propane-fueled buses.

The fleet of propane buses for the school district, which has over 260,000 students, is the largest such purchase in the nation’s history, according to the district.

According to the United States Department of Energy, propane is a domestically produced, clean-burning fuel. Using propane for a vehicle increases energy security, provides convenience and performance benefits, and improves public health and the environment.

Propane is nontoxic, nonpoisonous, and insoluble in water, the U.S. Department of Energy reports. Compared with vehicles fueled by conventional diesel and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases, depending on vehicle type, drive cycle, and engine calibration

“It’s a smoother ride, a safer ride and there is air conditioning so students can have a much more comfortable ride to school and home,” said bus driver Lisa Atkins.

Propane buses aren’t the only thing new.

Another addition for the 2014-2014 school year is that debate will now be offered in every high school and all middle schools.

Middle school athletics are back with the addition of of volleyball and flag football.

Scholastic chess is being added to second and third grade classes.

High school students will be able to take advanced computer science classes.

The district is also adding ‘three’ K-8 schools. That means some students will no longer attend a middle school but stay in their elementary school grades six through eight.

Superintendent Robert Runcie tells CBS 4 that he expects more schools to go toward the K-8 model in the coming years although some middle schools will remain.

The biggest change however is the end of the controversial FCAT testing system.

Beginning in the Spring of 2015 students will begin a new state devised testing system to prove they are making the grade.

“The FCAT was about facts. The new world is can you apply what you’ve learned to solve real world problems,” explains Runcie.

The Superintendent who is now making three full years with the District (his contract was extended to 2019) says one of his top priorities is to get the $800 million dollar bond issue passed in November that will be used to renovate older schools in disrepair and build real classrooms to replace portables in the overcrowded newer schools.

“We’re going to have a great school year. I welcome back all students, teachers, and support staff,” said Runcie.

Runcie plans to visit a half dozen schools on Monday and then hold a news conference Monday afternoon to give an overview of how the first day went.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/15/broward-to-roll-out-98-new-propane-fueled-buses/feed/2Drivers Urged To Stop For School Buses Ahead Of New Yearhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/13/drivers-urged-to-stop-for-school-buses-ahead-of-new-year/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/13/drivers-urged-to-stop-for-school-buses-ahead-of-new-year/#commentsWed, 13 Aug 2014 22:52:32 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=318181Bells will sound all across South Florida Monday morning, ringing in the start of a new school year and, if you happened to be listening to the radio Wednesday morning, you may have heard Broward Sheriff Scott Israel talking about school safety.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1308201418173872637AA.mp4

BROWARD (CBSMiami) – Bells will sound all across South Florida Monday morning, ringing in the start of a new school year and, if you happened to be listening to the radio Wednesday morning, you may have heard Broward Sheriff Scott Israel talking about school safety.

The topic of when drivers are supposed to stop for a school bus came up and caused confusion for some listeners.

Each year, Florida drivers illegally pass school buses two million times.

Student Madison Hoening said she has seen drivers who ignore a stopped school bus picking up or dropping off children.

“There are drivers who are being impatient and speed past the bus and it threatens the safety of younger students taking the bus,” Hoening said.

Sheriff Israel spoke on the Jimmy Cefalo radio show, reminding drivers to be alert as the start of the school years means drivers will once again be sharing the road with buses.

“So in other words, if there’s a median there and that bus stops on the other side of the road going opposite of you but it puts those flashing lights on and those little signs come up, you gotta stop on your side of the road too in case a kid is crossing all the way right?” Cefalo asked Sheriff Israel.

“Right. The eight or nine-year-old kids, they are the last people who are going to obey these traffic rules or be cognizant of them, you know, they just got out of school or going to school and they are running and playing so we gotta take caution,” Sheriff Israel said on the radio.

CBS4 checked with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to clarify the exact school bus safety laws.

Drivers must stop behind a stopped bus, and if the road is divided, oncoming traffic has to stop as well. Even if there are multiple lanes in-between the bus and opposite traffic, drivers still have to stop.

But, if there is a median or physical barrier, drivers are not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction.

The sheriff, who said there will be extra deputies on patrol Monday for the first day of school, acknowledged the above rules are correct.

“If there is a barrier, you don’t have to stop but it’s good to err on the side of caution,” said Sheriff Israel.

Drivers, in case you forgot, take note: if you ignore the sign on the back of school buses, you will be fined hundreds of dollars. If you go around a bus that is stopped with flashing lights—where kids are being dropped off—you will get a ticket and a mandatory court date.

Parent Lydia Cavaleiro said she never minds stopping for a school bus.

“It’s for the safety of the children, whether you wait two more seconds, you are watching for the kids,” said Cavaleiro.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/13/drivers-urged-to-stop-for-school-buses-ahead-of-new-year/feed/1Back To School Study Tips For Teenshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/back-to-school-study-tips-for-teens/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/back-to-school-study-tips-for-teens/#commentsWed, 13 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=310618Help your kids make the most of their time when they head back to school with these 5 study tips.]]>

Summer is winding down, and soon it’ll be time to get back into the swing of things with school. Waking up early again will be just one adjustment. Kids go from spending their days outdoors in the sun, to being inside the classroom and getting daily homework assignments. To stay focused and keep up their grades, it’s imperative to hit the books and study on a regular basis.

Get Organized

Photo Credit Thinkstock

With a wide range of classes and homework assignments, it’s easy to let a worksheet or even a reading assignment fall through the cracks. Buy an academic planner before the school year begins so you and your kids can keep track of all assignments, and when they’re due; the planner can also help you create a schedule that includes everything from when swim practice is to when to plan on working on that science project.

In a similar vein, have a way to organize all paperwork in a system that works for all. For some this might mean assembling a binder for each school subject; this way you can store handouts and class notes in one place. With all course materials in one place, it’ll be easier to study for that class when the time comes.

Find a Good Study Space

Photo Credit Thinkstock

To best retain what is being studying, find a space that will make it easy to focus. In other words: a place where it’s easy to avoid distractions, whether it be the library, or a corner of the house away away from the living room. Additionally, make sure to turn off cell phone and limit the number of times email or social media accounts are checked. Perhaps most importantly, make the space comfortable, but not too comfortable—so you don’t start to doze.

Set Deadlines

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Teachers provide deadlines for when that essay needs to be turned in, but they don’t give deadlines for studying what’s been reviewed in class. That’s because test day shouldn’t be considered a deadline. Rather, have your children plan to review content throughout the semester so they are not scrambling the night before finals, trying to remember what was taught 10 weeks ago.

Use Study Aids

Photo Credit Thinkstock

To help study throughout the semester, create your own versions of study aids. These can take the form of flash cards as well as outlines. Teachers also often provide study aids, such as practice tests that your teen can take, and then review, before the real test day. The key in all this is finding a way to look over the content that doesn’t just involve re-reading textbooks and notes took during the lecture. Using multiple sources mean studying in different ways, which may make it easier to retain the info.

Make a Plan for Test Studying

Photo Credit Thinkstock

As test day approaches, plan out study time. For example, block out an hour into three 20-minute segments; each segment can focus on a different topic that the test will cover. Once that hour is up, giving a 10-minute break and use that time as a reward perhaps with a snack, or to make a quick phone call to a friend. Whatever you do during this break should be refreshing, so you go back to studying with fresh eyes and motivated anew.

When it comes to studying, do what works best for your kids and try to keep stress to a minimum. Whether that means having them study by themselves, or with a group of classmates, in complete quietness or while listening to music, it’s all up to you.

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she’s scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/back-to-school-study-tips-for-teens/feed/0Taxpayers Weigh-In On Broward School Bond Spending Planhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/12/taxpayers-weigh-in-on-broward-school-bond-spending-plan/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/12/taxpayers-weigh-in-on-broward-school-bond-spending-plan/#commentsTue, 12 Aug 2014 23:16:29 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=317905Voters in Broward County will decide if $800,000 bond issue will go to fix county schools in-need of repairs.]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_1208201418184248996AA.mp4

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Voters in Broward County will decide if $800,000 bond issue will go to fix county schools in-need of repairs.

The school board held a workshop Tuesday where plenty of parents voiced their concerns about the bond money.

“If you don’t fix this you are not going to get that $800,000. I’m telling you that right now,” said Beatrice Esdelle.

Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie got an earful from people not happy to hear how the district intends to spend the proposed bond issue to fix schools in need of repairs; from flooded hallways, to leaking roofs and aging tile.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/11/m-dcps-launches-mobile-app-for-parents-students-employees/feed/2Backpack Giveaways Help Prep Students For Schoolhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/09/miami-gardens-gets-students-ready-for-new-school-year/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/09/miami-gardens-gets-students-ready-for-new-school-year/#commentsSat, 09 Aug 2014 23:39:15 +0000cbs4masellihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=317102The city of Miami Gardens and Miami are getting students ready for school by giving out free backpacks]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_0908201419271501211AA.mp4

MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) — The city of Miami Gardens and Miami are getting students ready for school by giving out free backpacks.

Residents are invited to go by the Miami Garden’s backpack giveaway on Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m. at Bunche Park located at 15600 N.W. 22nd Ave.

Students will get a free backpack with school supplies, free haircuts and free salon vouchers.

There will also be fun activity for the little ones like bounce houses, music and a book reading.

For the adults, they’ll have a chance to score free SunPass transponders and participate in a basketball game with the City of Miami Gardens Police Department.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/09/miami-gardens-gets-students-ready-for-new-school-year/feed/2Supt. Carvalho Gives Thousands Of His Own Money For Student Scholarshipshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/06/superintendent-carvalho-gives-thousands-for-student-scholarships/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/06/superintendent-carvalho-gives-thousands-for-student-scholarships/#commentsWed, 06 Aug 2014 20:05:24 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=316197Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho did something unique Wednesday to “honor students whose paths have been both difficult but also inspirational.”]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho did something unique Wednesday to “honor students whose paths have been both difficult but also inspirational.”

Carvalho, on Facebook, announced that at the scheduled school board meeting, he would honor students by using his $10,000 prize he earned as national Superintendent of the Year—matched with $10,000 of his own money—to award ten students $2,000 in college scholarships.

Carvalho’s Facebook post reads: “My father’s wise words: no matter where you go, there you are. I believe he meant that inasmuch as one’s origin does not limit one’s destiny, we should never forget who we are or where we came from, our challenges and our triumphs. At today’s board meeting, I will honor students whose paths have been both difficult but also inspirational. I have decided to use my $10,000 prize as national superintendent of the year, match it with $10,000 of my own compensation and award ten $2,000 college scholarships to remarkable students who overcame homelessness and graduated at the top of their classes. Oh yes, some community friends are throwing in laptops for everyone. This one is for you dad!”

The ten students who received the scholarship money are all part of Project Up-Start, a project for homeless students.

The project helps the students throughout the year to get supplies and tools that are needed.

Carvalho gave out the awards today. He said that the gesture was something close to his heart because when he was a teen there was a period of time when he was homeless.

Part of Project Up-Start includes a store in the Miami-Dade County School Administration Building. The store houses clothes, food, supplies and anything students might need. They are allowed to go to the store and shop at no cost.

The project has been in place for ten years but the store has only been around for two years.

CBS4 spoke with a student, a senior at Carol City, who asked not to be identified, said she is thankful that the program exists.

For more information on how to give clothes, food, or other supplies to Project Up-Start, visit the website by clicking here.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/06/superintendent-carvalho-gives-thousands-for-student-scholarships/feed/15 Best Educational Apps For High School Studentshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-best-educational-apps-for-high-school-students/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-best-educational-apps-for-high-school-students/#commentsTue, 05 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=310819Almost every teenager has a smartphone or tablet these days. Use that technology the right way and download any of these great educational apps to help your high school student prepare for any subject or exam.]]>

Take advantage of the smart phone or tablet you purchased for your teenager over the holidays. Instead of just wasting that technology on another thrilling level of Candy Crush, spend some time using the tablet or phone for some valuable study time. There are so many amazing apps available to help your high school student prepare for any subject or exam. Most of these apps are also less than five dollars, but the information and organization they provide is far more valuable. Here are a few of the best must-have apps for your high schooler.

If your high schooler is getting ready to take SATs this is one app that can be a very valuable tool. This app starts with an SAT assessment, which will help pinpoint the student’s strengths and weaknesses. It then offers lots of practice questions to help prepare for the big exam. The Princeton Review SAT app comes with the SAT assessment, including 45 SAT questions in math, writing and critical reading, plus an additional 45 practice SAT questions that come with explanations on how the answers are found. It also has 15 Core Concept lessons to help with SAT strategies and other tips.

Studious is the perfect app for the busy high school life. You can input the dates of all your upcoming tests, when homework assignments are due, add a campus map and even personalize it with your school colors. When you or your student are faced with lots of classes, many different deadlines and tons of different tests coming up, Studious is the best way to keep it all organized. Plus, you can program the app to automatically silence your cell phone when you are in class. So teachers will love this app too.

Remember the days of spending lots of money on expensive graphic calculators, only to accidentally drop it, and then be forced to buy a new one? Well those days are gone, as graphic calculators are all available in app form. This app comes complete with all of the same tools from your old graphic calculator including the ability to take screen shots so you can email your graphs to yourself. It can even be displayed on a projector or television with a VGA adapter, making study sessions a lot easier since you can all see the calculator at the same time.

Forget spending hours creating flash cards to study from. Instead pick up Evernote Peek, which will work with your iPad’s Smart Cover to help create e-versions of flash cards. If you don’t have a Smart Cover, it can also work with a virtual cover just as easily. You can add study materials in just about any subject, since you create your own clues and answers, so it truly is just like making flash cards. Then you can use the iPad cover or virtual cover to study for all those big exams coming up.

For less than one dollar you can get an app that provides the full periodic table of elements, along with lots of additional built-in information. This app is very helpful for that upcoming science class. The table is touch sensitive, and a simple tap opens additional information on each item, or if you need more information it will connect to the Wikipedia page for any element, nucleobase or amino acid. Forget carrying around a paper version of this table, this app is far more useful and it won’t rip in your pocket.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-best-educational-apps-for-high-school-students/feed/0Best Cookbooks For Cooking in Collegehttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-cookbooks-for-cooking-in-college/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-cookbooks-for-cooking-in-college/#commentsTue, 05 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=223027Worried that sending your kid off to college means their diets will consist of boxed meals or ramen? Is your son or daughter moving into their first off-campus apartment and far away from dining halls? Our sister company, Simon & Schuster serves up some college-appropriate cookbooks designed to make cooking easy and even fun for your kids after they’ve fled the nest.]]>

Worried that sending your new freshman off to college means their diet will consist of boxed macaroni and cheese and cereal? Perhaps your son or daughter is moving into their first off-campus apartment and away from regular meals in the dining hall. If so, our sister company, Simon & Schuster, serves up the goods once again. These cookbooks feature delicious recipes and easy-to-follow instructions that will inspire your kids to drop the ramen habit and try their hand at making their favorite meals.

The Kitchy Kitchen
By Claire Thomas

Every cook needs an arsenal of staples, but the real fun comes in making basic recipes your own. The Kitchy Kitchen introduces readers to Claire Thomas’ unfussy and personal style of cooking – and features sidebars showing how to adapt and expand upon recipes you’ve already mastered. Perfect for the adventurous young cook who is looking to become more creative and confident in the kitchen.

Chloe’s Kitchen 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way
By Chloe Coscarelli

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Chloe Coscarelli wowed millions when she won Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” with vegan cupcakes. Her vegan reinterpretations of classic comfort dishes like burgers, fries, meatloaf, along with some lip smacking desserts – including her winning cupcake recipes – make this book a hit for sending any vegan, vegetarian, or plain old picky eater off to college. You’ll know they’re eating something healthy no matter which of Chef Chloe’s recipes they make!

This Is A Cookbook: Recipes for Real Life
By Max and Eli Sussman

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

James Beard Foundation 2012 Rising Star nominee Max Sussman and his partner-in-crime (and brother) Eli are known for their skills in hip New York restaurants like Roberta’s and Mile End Deli. Featuring 60 killer recipes made from easy-to-find ingredients, the Sussmans take the guesswork out of cooking and break it down simply – this is the perfect kitchen companion for the more experienced home chef or the kid who can’t even boil water. With recipes for meals for one, two, or many, your freshman will be on the road to foodie in no time.

4 Ingredients: One Pot, One Bowl
By Kim McCosker

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

College kitchens tend to be tiny if they even exist at all and it’s tough to plan a meal when you need to have countless different pots and pans to make something substantial. With these recipes that only include 4 ingredients, one pot, and one bowl (okay, and some utensils to eat and stir with), there’s no excuse not to cook at home. The more than 80 recipes include: Creamy Bacon and Sundried Tomato Chicken, French Lamb Casserole, and Baked Rice Pudding. Cooking just got a whole lot easier.

My Year in Meals
By Rachael Ray

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Rachael Ray’s fan base is likely moms and not the typical college students. But, with 365 different recipes straight from Rachael’s own kitchen, you know these are going to be delicious – and easy to make. From everyday meals to complicated culinary feats, including Almond Custard Brioche Toast, Egg Tagliatelle with Truffle Butter, Butternut Squash Risotto, and much more, by the time Parent’s Weekend rolls around, your child will consider going out for their own show on the Cooking Channel.

Make the Bread, Buy the Butter: What You Should and Shouldn’t Cook from Scratch – Over 120 Recipes for the Best Homemade Foods
By Jennifer Reese

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Popular food blogger Jennifer Reese shares 120 recipes and practical yet deliciously fun “make or buy” recommendations, all while making a fantastic case for the frugal-chic lifestyle and giving us a full picture of what a truly “homemade” life looks like. Here’s an example: make the bagels and buy the cream cheese. Students away from home for the first time will appreciate the goods they had growing up but revel in success when they make something from scratch.

Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Express: 494 Inspired Seasonal Dishes You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less
By Mark Bittman

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

From the beloved New York Times columnist, also known as “The Minimalist,” comes a collection of 404 seasonal, quick and easy recipes with the taste and flair of a five-star restaurant but without any of the anxiety or fuss that comes with cooking in one. And considering the limited time students have between class, clubs, social engagements, and homework – twenty minutes or less is about all they have to prepare a meal. This is a good bet to break the ramen or boxed macaroni and cheese habit pretty quickly.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-cookbooks-for-cooking-in-college/feed/0Back To School Backpack Giveaway To Take Place In Miamihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/03/back-to-school-backpack-giveaway-to-take-place-in-miami/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/03/back-to-school-backpack-giveaway-to-take-place-in-miami/#commentsSun, 03 Aug 2014 16:50:14 +0000cbs4dworkhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=315416Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell will host her 4th Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Sunday, August 3rd from 1 to 5 p.m. at the South Dade YMCA Family Center, 9355 SW 134th Street, Miami, FL 33176.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell will host her 4th Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Sunday, August 3rd from 1 to 5 p.m. at the South Dade YMCA Family Center, 9355 SW 134th Street, Miami, FL 33176.

The giveaway will feature backpacks containing a variety of school supplies. They will be given out on a first come, first served basis until there are none left to give away.

People attending the back-to-school event will be treated to free food, Minute Maid juices and Dasani Water donated by Coca Cola Company.

Baptist Health South Florida will be offering free health screenings and there will be several fun activities for kids, as well as raffle drawings with prizes.

The Marlins Street Team and Ms. Florida USA title holders will be providing entertainment.

“I invite District 8 parents to come get their children ready for the upcoming school year while enjoying some fun for the entire family,” Vice Chair Bell said. “Office Depot is providing a great service to the underprivileged children of our community and I thank them for making this event possible.”

Vice Chair Bell’s efforts also will support the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade’s Fit2Play Scholarship Fund to ensure that students, regardless of their socioeconomic strata, have a safe place to go after school and engage in wholesome activities.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/02/trayvon-martins-parents-pass-out-backpacks-to-students/feed/4Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday In Full Swinghttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/02/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-in-full-swing/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/02/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-in-full-swing/#commentsSat, 02 Aug 2014 17:04:50 +0000cbs4masellihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=315265Parents and future students getting ready for the upcoming school year can stock up without breaking the bank thanks to the back-to-school sales tax holiday this weekend. ]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Parents and future students getting ready for the upcoming school year can stock up without breaking the bank thanks to the back-to-school sales tax holiday this weekend.

The holiday started Friday, August 1st and lasts through Sunday, August 3rd.

During the sales tax-free holiday, shoppers do not pay sales taxes on any clothes and shoes worth $100 or less, school supplies worth $15 or less or on the first $750 of a personal computer.

Another tax break for families took effect July 1, 2014. Youth bicycle helmets, child restraint systems and booster seats are now tax-exempt and will provide additional relief for families purchasing these child safety items.

CLICK HERE to see and download the complete list of back-to-school items that are tax-exempt.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/02/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-in-full-swing/feed/0Time To Shop: Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Beginshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/01/time-to-shop-back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-begins/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/01/time-to-shop-back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-begins/#commentsFri, 01 Aug 2014 16:43:32 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=314942Want to lessen the blow of stocking up on supplies for the new school year? This weekend might just might be the perfect time. ]]>http://media.miami.cbslocal.com/CBSMIA_0108201412261175647AA.mp4

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Want to lessen the blow of stocking up on supplies for the new school year? This weekend might just might be the perfect time.

The sales tax holiday is from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3.

During the sales tax-free holiday, shoppers will not have to pay sales taxes on any clothes and shoes worth $100 or less, school supplies worth $15 or less or on the first $750 of a personal computer.

Another tax break for families took effect July 1, 2014. Youth bicycle helmets, child restraint systems and booster seats are now tax-exempt and will provide additional relief for families purchasing these child safety items.

CLICK HERE to see and download the complete list of back-to-school items that are tax-exempt.

Also, right before the start of school year, Mayor Tomas Regalado and City Commissioners will be giving away 1,000 backpacks Friday from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road in Coconut Grove.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/01/time-to-shop-back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-begins/feed/2Ask A South Florida Expert: Essentials When Dorm Shoppinghttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/ask-a-south-florida-expert-essentials-when-dorm-shopping/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/ask-a-south-florida-expert-essentials-when-dorm-shopping/#commentsFri, 01 Aug 2014 11:55:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=219865Two seniors from the University of Miami were happy to share these tips to help incoming dorm-room-bound freshmen maximize their space, improve their everyday routines and even help them get along with their roommate.]]>Although the size of dorm rooms hasn’t changed much over the years, the ingenious ways in which students can make the most of their pea-sized space – and bring in many of the comforts of home – has soared to fantastic, new heights. And who better to give dorm-shopping advice than the students who live the dorm life? Two seniors from the University of Miami, Ivy Cooper, a Resident Assistant and Computer Science major, and Richard Taylor, a Student Leader and Psychobiology major, were happy to share these tips to help incoming dorm-room-bound freshmen maximize their space, improve their everyday routines and even help them get along with their roommate.Photo Gallery: Must-Have School Supplies

(Source: Getty Images)

Ivy Cooper, Resident Assistant
Richard Taylor, Student Leader

Beds and Bedding

A twin bed is provided but you’ll need extra long twin sheets, pillows, a mattress pad and comforter. Darker colors or patterns hide stains. A simple set of bed risers can add valuable inches of space beneath the bed, perfect for hiding luggage. Or, companies like bedloft.com rent a ‘bedloft’ for the semester starting at $199. It’s ideal for creating extra space as a twin bed is on the top and a futon is below. Additional accessories like a connected shelf can also be rented. Place your order online and the furniture can be waiting on campus or in your assigned room.

Mini Fridge & Microwave

Bring a small microwave and mini fridge or rent them from companies like Bedloft.com. Its Micro-Fridge-Freezer rents for $249. Taylor said he likes to keep his mini-fridge and microwave in his closet, using an extension cord, which frees up valuable living space. In addition, one of the latest items making an appearance is the Nutri-bullet. It takes up no space and you can create a meal in seconds. Try blending milk, chocolate powder, peanut butter, a banana and ice for breakfast on the go. It’s also perfect for late-night hunger pangs, instead of pizza. You just have to rinse it out down the hall.

Shower & Bath

Shower shoes are a must, be it Crocs™ or some version of plastic flip-flops. You’ll not only wear them to the shower, but you should keep them on while you’re in the shower. Easy slip-on shoes are also perfect for running down the hall anytime when nature calls. Another handy tip? Purchase a shower caddy to carry all your bathroom items back and forth from the dorm room to the bathroom. Plastic-style caddies work best as canvas bags tend to stay wet. Taylor also suggests having a cup for your toothbrush.

Space-Savers

There are lots of items students can purchase that can multi-task, saving on precious space. In addition to renting the half-bed/half-futon bedloft, you can inexpensively invest in one or two hanging shoe organizers or clothing cubbies as well as space-saving hangars. Since there isn’t much drawer space, these hanging accessories are ideal. How about a laundry hamper that doubles as a cooler? No kidding. This ingenious multi-tasker is collapsible, has a leak-proof lining and stitched handles for easy mobility. You can find it in your favorite team colors at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

(Source: Van Dyke Cafe)

Technical Gadgets/Electronic

No need to pack a DVD player as most students just use their laptops. However, speakers rank high on the wish list. Many students are arriving equipped with TV connection cables for their laptops. Cooper says, “The connector cables allow [students] to stream movies and clips from the Internet to their laptop and then display them on a TV.” Cooper also recommends bringing a floor lamp with multiple heads or a portable desk lamp. “That way you have light to read or study without disturbing your roommate.”

Jill Martin is a family travel expert, appearing on numerous television and radio shows. She spent five years as the VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider, has penned children’s books, and is the creator of Sunshine Brain Games – trivia cards about Florida. A Miami native, Jill resides in Redland. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/ask-a-south-florida-expert-essentials-when-dorm-shopping/feed/0Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Starts Fridayhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday-2/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday-2/#commentsThu, 31 Jul 2014 14:56:59 +0000cbs4lisahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=314647South Florida families are getting ready to send their kids back to school and that means back-to-school shopping. But if you want to save, wait until this weekend when Florida 2014 sales tax-free holiday begins on August 1.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – South Florida families are getting ready to send their kids back to school and that means back-to-school shopping. But if you want to save, wait until this weekend when Florida 2014 sales tax-free holiday begins on August 1.

During the 3-day sales tax-free holiday, shoppers will not have to pay sales taxes on any clothes and shoes worth $100 or less, school supplies worth $15 or less or on the first $750 of a personal computer.

The sales tax holiday is from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3.

Another tax break for families took effect July 1, 2014. Youth bicycle helmets, child restraint systems and booster seats are now tax-exempt and will provide additional relief for families purchasing these child safety items.

CLICK HERE to see and download the complete list of back-to-school items that are tax-exempt.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday-2/feed/1Health Dept. Offering Free Back-To-School Immunizations In Miami-Dadehttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/health-dept-offering-free-back-to-school-immunizations-in-miami-dade/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/health-dept-offering-free-back-to-school-immunizations-in-miami-dade/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2014 14:52:23 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=314095Some kids dread the thought of going back-to-school after summer vacation—and the idea of having to get vaccines is even worse.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Some kids dread the thought of going back-to-school after summer vacation—and the idea of having to get vaccines is even worse.

No matter the anxiety, the time has come meaning parents and guardians should check whether students’ immunization records are up-to-date.

The state’s Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is providing free back-to school immunizations to children between the ages of two months through 18 years of age.

Children entering Kindergarten and the 7th grade are normally due for a vaccine and, in order to start school, need to meet the requirements for school entry.

If students are in need of vaccines, a trip to the child’s healthcare provider or one of the Florida Department of Health’s clinics can help.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/health-dept-offering-free-back-to-school-immunizations-in-miami-dade/feed/1Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Starts Fridayhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2014 14:20:19 +0000cbs4lisahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=314072South Florida families are getting ready to send their kids back to school and that means back-to-school shopping. But if you want to save, wait until this weekend when Florida 2014 sales tax-free holiday begins on August 1.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – South Florida families are getting ready to send their kids back to school and that means back-to-school shopping. But if you want to save, wait until this weekend when Florida 2014 sales tax-free holiday begins on August 1.

During the 3-day sales tax-free holiday, shoppers will not have to pay sales taxes on any clothes and shoes worth $100 or less, school supplies worth $15 or less or on the first $750 of a personal computer.

The sales tax holiday is from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3.

Another tax break for families took effect July 1, 2014. Youth bicycle helmets, child restraint systems and booster seats are now tax-exempt and will provide additional relief for families purchasing these child safety items.

CLICK HERE to see and download the complete list of items that are tax-exempt.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/29/back-to-school-sales-tax-holiday-starts-friday/feed/2Best Back To School Books For The Off To College Crowdhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-back-to-school-books-for-the-off-to-college-crowd/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-back-to-school-books-for-the-off-to-college-crowd/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=313884College is a monumental time in a young person’s life, our sister company Simon & Schuster has a book that will them thinking about their impact on the world, their future success, and the enriching value of what they’re learning behind university gates.]]>

College is a monumental time in a young person’s life. While they might be looking forward to dorm life, parties, and their impending independence, the true excitement is the intellectual vivacity that they will encounter on campus. Whether your college student is studying NADPH reactions or Nietzsche, our sister company Simon & Schuster has a book that will them thinking about their impact on the world, their future success, and the enriching value of what they’re learning behind university gates.

Writing is one of the most important skills learned in college; the ability to express oneself eloquently is invaluable. In The True Secret of Writing, Natalie Goldberg explains that writing is not merely a utilitarian exercise, but that it can be used to increase self-understanding and help us make connections in the world throughout our lives.

The canon of war literature is expansive, and the chances that your budding freshman will be assigned the works of Hemingway, Vonnegut, or O’Brien are high. But a growing number of women are now seeing active duty oversees, and women have a uniquely different military experience than men. This groundbreaking book follows three women over twelve years, from their deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq to their journeys home. By expanding the perspective, this vital account deepens our understanding of war on the human experience.

Newly minted college students will encounter numerous tips and tricks for success throughout their college career, but none as simple and profound as this. CEO Bill Donius drove his bank’s eightfold growth over twelve years and the surprising secret to his success is right in our own two hands—simply moving your pen from one hand to the other. Thought Revolution shows how the non-dominant hand can channel the right brain’s wisdom—opening you up to new and creative solutions. Whether they’re right-handed or left-handed, your teen will find that a whole world of change is possible.

Every young person leaves home for the first time wanting to make a difference. Katie Davis actually did. Inspired by the tenacity of the people she met in Uganda during a previous trip, Katie chose to forsake college and the comforts of home in order to address the great need she witnessed there. At 18, she moved to Uganda and established Amazima Ministries, an organization that provides orphaned children with schooling, meals, and medical care. This riveting account emphasizes that one person really can change the world.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-back-to-school-books-for-the-off-to-college-crowd/feed/0School Safety Tips For Younger Kidshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/school-safety-tips-for-younger-kids/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/school-safety-tips-for-younger-kids/#commentsMon, 21 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=310295School is back in session, so take some time to go over these important safety tips with your children. This is just the beginning of the conversation, but it's a great place to get started.]]>

Before you know it, school will be back in session, which means kids all over the country will be walking to school and facing all sorts of new challenges. School should be about the education, not about learning how to be safe. However it’s a sad fact that safety is still a priority concern of many parents around the country. From walking to school and heading home alone to facing bullies and riding the bus, there are lots of different safety concerns facing children today. It’s very important to take the time to talk about these concerns with your children, before anything becomes an issue. There are plenty of great resources available to parents at schools and online, or visit your local bookstore for additional information. As you face these new challenges, here are a few tips to get you started.

Walking To And From School

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Always have your kids walk to and from school with a buddy. There is safety in numbers. However, if that is not possible, or if your child will still end up with a few blocks to walk on their own, make sure to go over some important tips with your child. If anyone follows them, tell them turn and go in the other direction. Go back to school, find a teacher and tell them what happened. If someone approaches them, tell them to get away and don’t be afraid to yell or make a scene. Get away while yelling something like, “This person is not my parent!” Creating a scene like that is likely to cause too much attention for any would-be abductor.

Try The Password System

Photo Credit Thinkstock

It’s crucial that your children are taught never to take a ride from a stranger, no matter what they say or how harmless he or she appears to be. One system that has worked well for years is the password system. Arrange a secret password between you and your kids, something that they can never tell anyone else. Then, if you should get held up at work, or if you ask a friend to pick up your kid, you must tell that person the password. When your friend arrives to pick up your child, if he or she doesn’t have the password ready, then you simply instruct your child not to enter the car.

Don’t Put Your Name On Your Backpack

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Many children like to wear clothing or carry bags or backpacks with their names on them, however this can be a very easy way for a stranger to appear more familiar to a child, since it’s so easy for strangers to learn your child’s name. Keep anything with names at home, and never wear them to school. It’s a small, but easy way to help prevent any confusion in the future.

Waiting At The Bus Stop

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Waiting for the bus is another spot where strangers can easily approach your kids. Just as when walking to or from school, it’s important to educate your children to never talk to strangers and to always stay with the group. If someone should approach the bus stop, instruct kids to get away from that person and make sure your child knows to tell a teacher or trusted adult right away. Even if someone just asks for directions, it’s important to never talk to them. An adult should be asking another adult for directions, and should never approach a child.

Bullying Prevention

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Sadly, there are a lot of bullies in school, and it’s something that just about every child faces at one time or another. There are some wonderful resources to start your education about bullying prevention, and it’s worth your time to look into them. Check out SafeChild.org, which has a lot of videos and articles from Dr. Sherryll Kraizer about how to use role-play techniques to teach your child how to deal with bullies. From preventing bullying to learning how to be inclusive, there are lots of great lessons here that can help make a big difference should your child be faced with a bully.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/school-safety-tips-for-younger-kids/feed/05 Things High School Seniors Can Do To Prepare For Collegehttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-things-high-school-seniors-can-do-to-prepare-for-college/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-things-high-school-seniors-can-do-to-prepare-for-college/#commentsMon, 21 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=310496Senior year in high school is a time of choices, changes, and transitions. It’s also a time of hard work, where students aren’t just focusing on the schoolwork at hand, but also getting ready for college.]]>

Senior year in high school is a time of choices, changes, and transitions. It’s also a time of hard work, where students aren’t just focusing on the schoolwork at hand, but also getting ready for college. That all starts during their junior year with picking schools to apply to, collecting recommendations, taking tests like the ACT and SAT and sending in applications. But college prep doesn’t end there, rather, it’s just beginning.

Getting ready for college, and all the decisions it entails, can be stressful. To alleviate some of that stress and worry, seniors can meet with their school counselor. Not only will this give students a chance to discuss their feelings about going off to college, but counselors can also talk about the different options for school, including whether an associates or bachelors degree would be best for the student and their interests. They can even help students as they start to think of a college major, although there’s still plenty of time for that decision!

Choose a College

Photo Credit Thinkstock

The one decision that can’t be held off is which school to attend. Students should weigh their options by considering things like whether they’re better suited for a small, liberal arts school or whether they prefer big campus life at a large university. To help students make the choice, visit college campuses and get to know the town the schools are in.

Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

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With the cost of college continually on the rise, students should do what they can to offset the price tag. For starters, submit a FAFSA, or Free Application for Student Financial Aid, which is required for any sort of financial aid. Make sure to keep deadlines for the application in mind, and the earlier the application is sent in, the better, as funds can get depleted at the state level.

In addition to federal and state aid, also apply to scholarships. A high school counselor can help students find—and apply to—some; many aren’t awarded solely based on academic standing, but also a student’s interests, such as the clubs and sports teams students plan on participating in while at college.

Stay Interested in School

Photo Credit Thinkstock

As senior year starts winding down, it’s easy to live in the moment. But don’t let this lead to senioritis, and don’t just take electives. Rather, stay focused and keep your grades up. Some colleges will ask for a final school transcript and can rescind acceptances if grades dramatically fall. But that’s not the only reason to stay invested in school; this is the time to set goals and focus on taking courses that will help a student pursue their interests that will carry over into college coursework.

Find Balance

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While summer is a time to get ready for college—between orientations, buying things for your dorm room, and more—it’s also a time to hang out with friends. Live in the moment and enjoy every last moment of your summer, but also look to your future and participate in an internship or a entry-level job in a field that interests you. Plus, balancing your personal and new professional life will be perfect practice for what’s to come at college. After all, once you’re a college student and living away from home for the first time, it’ll be entirely up to you to go to class and do your homework, all while having fun.

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she’s scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-things-high-school-seniors-can-do-to-prepare-for-college/feed/05 Back To School Things Teachers Would Love Your Help Withhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-back-to-school-things-teachers-would-love-your-help-with/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-back-to-school-things-teachers-would-love-your-help-with/#commentsMon, 21 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=311102Seasoned instructors share the essentials for your child's transition back to the classroom.]]>

Back-to-school time is exciting, nerve-wracking and—not the least of all—rather crazy. But don’t worry: there are steps you can take to make this hectic time easier on both students and teachers. Seasoned instructors share here the essentials that assist them as they guide your child’s transition back to the classroom.

A Backpack Full of Goodies

Photo Credit Meghan Ross

“Make sure your students bring all of their supplies on the first day,” recommends Carmen Daubs, a second-grade teacher in Lincoln, Ill. Most schools provide a list of necessary supplies. This might be mailed to you or available for pickup at local stores. If you aren’t sure how to obtain a supply list, call the school office.

“Things like pencils, erasers, glue sticks, dry erase markers and tissues are always on the list. Those items always seem to run out quickly,” elaborates fifth-grade teacher Ashlee Thompsen of Cambridge, Md.

Health and Wellness

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How much of your child’s medical situation you disclose is up to you, but teachers want to you to know that the more information they have, the more they can help your child.

Allergies are a big one to tell the teacher about, particularly food allergies. Other things you might want to share with your child’s teacher include medications, medical conditions and mental illnesses, especially if they might affect his or her school performance. And if there’s a chance that your child will need an inhaler or insulin while at school, inform the teacher, so she can be prepared when the need arises.

Keeping in Touch

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Teachers want to keep you in the loop, but they need to know how to do it. These days, there are plenty of ways to get in touch with folks, but some people prefer one method over another. Let your child’s teacher know which approach is best for you. “Do they check email regularly, do they receive text messages and what phone number is best?” asks Thompsen.

Even if your phone is always on you, there may be times when an immediate need arises and you’re unreachable. Provide emergency contact numbers, just in case.

Furthermore, if your contact info changes over the course of the school year, make sure to update the teacher.

Life at Home

Photo Credit Meghan Ross

Families come in all shapes and sizes, so fill your child’s teacher in on your family arrangement. Daubs wants to know, “Whom do they live with?” From parents to siblings, live-in relatives to custody agreements, let the teacher know what your family is like.

Has your child’s living situation changed recently? A move, a divorce or a deployment could have an effect on school performance, so keep the teacher in the loop, both at back-to-school time and throughout the year.

All About Me

Photo Credit Meghan

Teachers want to connect with their students, and getting the scoop on your child can help them do that. “I teach in a small school,” shares Thompsen, “so I typically know the majority of students before they enter my class. But my daughter’s kindergarten teacher asked parents to share a little about their child’s personality: their interests, fears, etc. Knowing these things helps a lot with planning.”

Any information that can help the teacher transition the student into a new school year is helpful. “I like to know how students feel about school,” adds Daubs.

Back-to-school means the start of something new. Make it a great start by sending your child well-prepared for a fantastic year.

Meghan Ross is a freelance writer covering all things home and living. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-back-to-school-things-teachers-would-love-your-help-with/feed/0Back-To-School Shoppers May Catch A Breakhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/05/01/back-to-school-shoppers-may-catch-a-break/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/05/01/back-to-school-shoppers-may-catch-a-break/#commentsThu, 01 May 2014 21:34:42 +0000cbs4masellihttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=292378Back-to-school shoppers will be getting three days of tax free shopping in August. ]]>TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Back-to-school shoppers may be getting three days of tax free shopping in August.

The Senate on Thursday included the back-to-school tax holiday in a $105 million tax cut package that legislators plan to pass this week. The back-to-school sales tax holiday would last from Aug. 1-3.

Under the bill (HB 5601), shoppers would not have to pay sales taxes on any clothes worth $100 or less. Shoppers would not have to pay taxes on school supplies worth $15 or less or on the first $750 of a personal computer.

The bill also includes a three-day sales tax holiday in September on the purchase of energy efficient appliances. It also includes a nine-day sales tax holiday on the sale of hurricane preparation supplies such as batteries and generators.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/05/01/back-to-school-shoppers-may-catch-a-break/feed/1Scott Announces Extended Sales Tax Holidayhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/01/17/scott-announces-extended-sales-tax-holiday/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/01/17/scott-announces-extended-sales-tax-holiday/#commentsFri, 17 Jan 2014 17:51:42 +0000cbs4kepharthttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=267111Florida Governor Rick Scott announced on Twitter that this year’s sales tax holiday in August will last for 10 days.]]>TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Florida Governor Rick Scott announced on Twitter that this year’s sales tax holiday in August will last for 10 days.

“A 10-day sales tax holiday will allow FL families to keep $60 million of their hard earned money,” read a tweet on Scott’s official account.

The “Back to School” sales tax holiday is used to help parents buy supplies such as pens, paper, crayons, glue, backpacks, and some clothing items. Last year, computers, e-readers, tablets, and select accessories were also added to the list of exempt items.

In 2013, the state Revenue Estimating Conference said the tax break cost Florida $28.3 million in revenue, with local governments losing approximately $6.4 million. The 2013 loss was up from an estimated $25.9 million loss of sales tax revenue during the 2012 sales tax holiday.

More details about the extended sales tax holiday will be released leading up to the 10-day sale in August.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/01/17/scott-announces-extended-sales-tax-holiday/feed/0Best Books To Read Before Heading Off To Collegehttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-to-read-before-heading-off-to-college/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-to-read-before-heading-off-to-college/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 10:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=224968It’s that time in the summer: you’re about to send your kids off to college. Regardless of whether your child is a freshman or a rising senior, these books can help with all stages of a college career. From inspirational works to short stories to advice, our sister company, Simon & Schuster have hand selected a list that will be the perfect gift just as you leave your kids at their dorm.]]>

It’s that time in the summer: you’re about to send your kids off to college. Regardless of whether your child is a freshman or a rising senior, these books can help with all stages of a college career. From inspirational works to short stories to advice, our sister company, Simon & Schuster have hand selected a list that will be the perfect gift just as you leave your kids at their dorm.

Contagious: Why Things Catch On
By Jonah Berger

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Contagious is a must read for any millennial who has ever asked why some rumors spread like crazy, or why people are more interested in certain products or ideas over others. Through scientific research, Jonah Berger, distinguished professor at UPenn’s Wharton School, explains just how ideas go viral. The perfect book for any aspiring business or marketing major.

A perennial bestseller, this book presents a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step guide for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. A great reference for anyone finding his or her way into adulthood.

No One Belongs Here More Than You
By Miranda July

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Between coursework, social engagements, extracurricular activities, and sleeping, there isn’t much time left for pleasure reading while in college. And for those who need a book to help them go to sleep, textbooks aren’t exactly cuddly material. We think short stories – especially those from Miranda July – are perfect send-off gift. In No One Belongs Here More Than You, the varied cast of characters – desperate for human connection and not sure what to do when it happens – will speak to college age readers as they try to navigate burgeoning adulthood and the desire to cultivate long-lasting relationships.

Who Owns the Future?
By Jaron Lanier

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

It’s no secret that kids spend hours tweeting, sending Instagrams, pinning photos, or liking status updates. In our digital age, the “prophet of Silicon Valley” proposes an alternative future in which each one of us is paid for what we do and share on the web. Perhaps your students will be the people to make this happen.

To Show and to Tell: The Craft of Literary Non-Fiction
By Phillip Lopate

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Liberal arts students know that most of their studies require extensive writing. From term papers to expository samples to thesis statements, students will write for numerous courses – all with professors of varied taste. Phillip Lopate, Director of Non-Fiction at Columba University, shares writing tips in this refreshing and insightful book.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
By Stephen King

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this book is a must for any aspiring writers or Creative Writing majors. King shares a practical view of the writer’s craft while also sharing useful basic tools every writer should have. Inspiring, empowering, and entertaining.

Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World
By Tony Wagner

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

This book is as perfect for an undergrad student as it is for a parent. Founder of Harvard’s Change Leadership Group Tony Wagner writes a timely examination of how to foster innovation by profiling key young innovators like the product manager for Apple’s first iPhone and a founder of a company that builds bicycle powered maize shelters in Tanzania. Wager reveals

And One More Thing Before You Go…
By Maria Shriver

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

In this inspirational guide, acclaimed journalist and former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver talks to young women about how to put your greatest gifts and shortcomings to work for you through her “The 10 Things You Need to Know as You Leave Childhood and Begin the Rest of Your Life.” Thoughtful and compassionate, Shriver encourages girls not to ignore the wisdom of their parents and teaches them how not to overlook life’s most special gifts. And One More Thing Before You Go…is a book that will make every mother cry and every daughter stop and think about her mother’s words.

One Question: Life-Changing Answers from Today’s Leading Voices
By Ken Coleman

Photo Credit Simon and Schuster

If you could sit down with the people you most admire and ask just one question, what would you ask? In this collection of interviews, Ken Coleman talks to Daniel Pink, Michelle Bachmann, Michelle Rhee, and many others about topics ranging from success to casting a vision to dealing with difficult relationships. Profound and inspiring, One Question invites you to peer over the shoulder of a master interviewer with access to today’s best and brightest as he delivers carefully crafted questions and collects answers guaranteed to surprise, challenge, and inspire.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-books-to-read-before-heading-off-to-college/feed/0Online Back-To-School Shopping On A Budgethttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/23/online-back-to-school-shopping-on-a-budget/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/23/online-back-to-school-shopping-on-a-budget/#commentsFri, 23 Aug 2013 13:22:32 +0000cbs4marshallhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=231233School is back in session and there's good news for parents on a budget who are scrambling to finish shopping for their little one's wardrobe.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) — School is back in session and there’s good news for parents on a budget who are scrambling to finish shopping for their little one’s wardrobe.

It can be done at a cool new website.

“Schoola Stitch” is an online consignment store that gives buyers a variety of clothes right at their fingertips.

Shoppers will not only be able to buy clothes that won’t pinch their wallets but all purchases will benefit the seller and a school of their choice.

Daryl Gallo, a mother of two, donated her children’s gently worn clothes. She said many of the clothes had never been worn and some items still had their original tags on them.

So how does it all work?

Well, the donation process is easy. Parents log on and sign up. The company will then send out a bag that parents can fill up with 20 pounds of clothes and return to the company for free.

The website then puts the donated items on sale for up to 90 percent off the original price; 40 percent of the sale goes to the school selected by the seller.

If a parent wants their child’s school to benefit from the services of Schoola Stitch the school is required to sign up online as well.

Sally Rodriguez, a mother of two boys, said buying clothes at such a discount was a great way to save.

“You have two kids and they grow so fast and it’s a perfect way for you to supplement the extra pieces that you need and know that you are getting great quality,” said Rodriguez.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/23/online-back-to-school-shopping-on-a-budget/feed/1Space-Saving Tips for Dorm Room Livinghttp://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/space-saving-tips-for-dorm-room-living/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/space-saving-tips-for-dorm-room-living/#commentsThu, 22 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=223422When you live in a tiny dorm room, maximizing space is a priority. These 10 space-saving tips will help you keep your room organized while still having room to move.]]>When transitioning into independence, most new college students must first live in a dorm before moving into their own residences. The small, boxy cell isn’t a year-long sentence to a cramped lifestyle as long as you use every millimeter of space appropriately.

Whether you’re living with an old friend or a complete stranger, you should be on the same page when deciding how to furnish your shared living space. So before moving in your personal items, evaluate what you’re working with.

Rearrange It & Plan It

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Most dorms are fitted with two extra long twins and two desks. First, you must position these items in the most practical manner in order to to accentuate the provided space. A lot of dorms offer the opportunity to either stack your beds on top of each other as bunk beds, or may even provide additional add-ons to make your beds into lofts. Both of these options are ideal if you’re trying to maximize your tiny space.

Bunk beds, though reminiscent of your early childhood with siblings, are a great way to free up floor space. Although, based on sleeping preferences, it may not be a comfortable situation for everyone. On the other hand, if your own bed is a priority, then loft beds may be a preferable option. By utilizing the extra space under the bed to put your desk, mini fridge and even dresser, you will free up space that can be used for other items.

Once you have decided how to arrange the furniture in a way to create the most open space possible, you will now need to find a place to store all your personal items. This can be a great bonding experience with your new roommate as you can both decide how the common space will be used. Decide how to arrange the remaining furniture and appliances so you can then identify the dead space (not used for any purpose) and also determine how to split up the closet, wall space and other storage areas.

Back To School Season means every store in the area will no doubt be pushing color coordinated and space-saving goodies to help organize your tiny living space. Now that you’ve arranged your space in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to you, it’s time to maximize the storage space so you can fit in your essential items.

Over-the-Door It, Wall It or Hang It

Photo Credit Thinkstock

There are an awful lot of items positioned to help you free up floor and closet space, one of the most useful being “over-the-door.” Being that you may only have one door (or more if you have an in-room bathroom door or closets), this will be a tough decision. This may very well be one of the last things you should buy once you have identified your problem areas. From over-the-door shoe racks to over-the-door hampers, find the best item to use this otherwise useless space to its most practical potential.

Much like the door, the walls can be used for other purposes than hanging your high school prom photos. Keep in mind that most dorms have rules about using nails and screws in the walls, so find out what you’re allowed to affix to the walls before you buy. With a large assortment of hooks, hangers and even shelves, with a little creativity you can use your extra wall space to your advantage. Peel and Stick Dorm Hooks are a cute and non-permanent option.

Though your closet will most likely be full of all your fashionable clothing choices, it is also wise to purchase a few hanging storage options to maximize the space. Hanging drawers, shoe racks and other space saving hanger options ensure your closet space is as outfitted as you will be for your Psych 101 class.

Desk It, Hide It, Stash It or Stack It

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Even if you can’t put shelves on your dorm walls, there are other ways to use these space-saving tools. By simply placing a shelving unit on top of your desk you have now opened up much needed desk space along with allowing room for books or other items. Another way to use your desk space to its full potential is by placing storage items on it. Some desk lamps even come with built in storage.

When you’re using every inch of space, don’t forget under the bed can be an untapped resource. With a wide variety of under-the-bed storage options, use this hidden space for storing out of season clothing or linens so these items stay out of your way.

Many chairs, ottomans and even bean bags come with built in storage. When you are selecting your comfy chair or couch, try to find one equipped with storage options so that you can stash your remotes, magazines or even blankets when you aren’t using them.

Using every inch of space should be a priority in order to keep your life and essentials organized. Stackable baskets and boxes make sure that anything that goes on the floor should also double as a storage option. Target has lots of cool options to stack.

Lastly, Leave It

Photo Credit Thinkstock

The easiest and most cost effective way to maximize your new room is to minimize. In other words, leave it at home. Rather than bringing every outfit or collectible, leave some of these items with your parents or give away unneeded items. The less you have, the more space you can use.

If you take the time to do some evaluating and planning, you can make the most of your tiny space all while expressing your individual tastes.

Nicole Cormier is a hip-hop head with business ambitions who stumbled awkwardly into journalism in 2007 as Colorado Music Buzz’s hip-hop editor. Nicole quickly became infatuated with Colorado hip-hop and devoted thousands of words to creating awareness of the inconspicuous yet insanely talented community. Nicole is the publisher and editor of the Colorado hip-hop e-magazine, http://www.HipHopRollCall.com and is also the Colorado Hip-Hop Examiner

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/top-lists/space-saving-tips-for-dorm-room-living/feed/0How To Get Kids On-Board With Healthy Eatinghttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/21/how-to-get-kids-on-board-with-healthy-eating/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/21/how-to-get-kids-on-board-with-healthy-eating/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 21:40:50 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=231172A winning combination most parents want for their children is a healthy mind and a healthy body. But how to get the kids to buy into the idea of eating healthy lunches and snacks?]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A winning combination most parents want for their children is a healthy mind and a healthy body. But how is it possible to get kids to buy into the idea of eating healthy lunches and snacks?

The Luis family has a system in place to help them stay focused. In fact, Adrian and Erin Luis love packing their own healthy lunches for school.

Their mother, Melinda Luis, a registered Dietitian says planning is key in keeping her children on track.

According to the center for disease control approximately 17 percent of children ages 2 to 19 are obese.

Luis believes it is extremely important to follow some simple rules to make sure children are getting the right foods with the right nutrition.

“I read labels. I look at fat content. I look to see if it’s high in sodium, high in fat? Is it in fact providing something from one of these food groups,” Luis said,

Using those tools and guidelines, according to Luis, will help you determine how much of each food group your child needs.

Below is a simple guideline on what kids should be eating:

2 cups fruits/ 8 ounces of real fruit juice

2 cups of vegetables

4-6 ounces of protein

6 ounces of whole grains

“One of the biggest problems parents may do is serve portions that are very large not only do they do that, they also tell their children you have to eat everything on the plate before you leave the table which then of course makes them eat larger portions than what’s really appropriate,” said Luis.

So what’s the trick in getting children to not only eat, but pack healthy lunches, too? Get them involved in the food preparation is one way. Luis said, “It gives them a sense of ownership in terms of what they are consuming.”

Luis recommends, in addition to getting your children involved, to keep it simple, always buy fresh food, and to keep an eye on the portions.

Another great tip is to not keep unhealthy snacks at home. Allow your children to have unhealthy snacks—like chips and candy—in small portions and less frequently.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/21/how-to-get-kids-on-board-with-healthy-eating/feed/29Protect Your Children From Identity Thefthttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/20/protect-your-children-from-identity-theft/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/20/protect-your-children-from-identity-theft/#commentsTue, 20 Aug 2013 21:45:38 +0000cbs4marlenahttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=230956Before the kids are off to school, the last thing on most parents’ minds is worrying about having ID thieves steal their children’s personal data to take out credit cards, loans, even renting out homes all in the child’s name.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Before the kids are off to school, the last thing on most parents’ minds is worrying about having ID thieves steal their children’s personal data to take out credit cards, loans, even renting out homes all in the child’s name.

Monica Nares, while helping her two children, Grace and Demetrie, get ready for school, protecting their identity isn’t necessarily the first thing on her mind.

“It hasn’t really been a thought actually. I remember their pediatrician’s office putting it (social security number) on their initial papers and probably in their schools registration but I haven’t really put their information out there other than those two times I can think of,” said Nares a Kendall resident.

In light of recent studies though, which finds that children may be 50-times more likely to have their identity stolen than adults, perhaps parents should take their child’s identity theft more seriously.

More than 22,000 juveniles, according to last year’s Federal Trade Commission reports, had identity theft complaints.

For a juvenile whose identity has been compromised, the problem generally comes to light once they turn 18 and enter the college years and obtain financial aid for the federal program. Victims often notice they have mortgages taken out in their name and defaults or judgments that they’ve never had any knowledge of prior to that.

Mother of three, Janelle Merritt is very careful with her daughters’ identities. Whether it’s in her doctor’s office or signing them up for school, she asks how their records are being kept and makes sure they’re locked up.

“When I look in their office it looks pretty concealed and it looks like it goes into a cabinet that’s locked so I feel a little secure in that,” said Merritt.

Merritt’s extra step in making sure her children’s records are locked up, according to the Federal Trade Commission, is the right thing to do if you want to help prevent your kids becoming victims.

It is recommended to ask schools, even daycare centers, how personal records are stored. It’s important to review school records for accuracy to see what personal information they may contain. Also opt-out of the school’s phone directory and be careful of the personal information you release to after-school activities.

According to cyber-scam experts, a popular way for scammers to target young children is through the Internet by asking kids for personal data to sign-up for free games or to access discounts.

The Dadeland mother of three said that when her children get old enough to go on the Internet, she’ll keep an even closer eye on them than before.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/20/protect-your-children-from-identity-theft/feed/0First Day Jitters As Kids Head Back To School In Browardhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/changes-made-to-avoid-another-broward-school-bus-debacle/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/changes-made-to-avoid-another-broward-school-bus-debacle/#commentsMon, 19 Aug 2013 22:10:44 +0000cbs4maclauchlanhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=230636Ah, the first day back to school. The hustle and bustle of getting kids out the door and to their school before the bell rings for their first class.]]>DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Ah, the first day back to school. The hustle and bustle of getting kids out the door and to their school before the bell rings for their first class.

For Marisol Falero’s six year old son Alejandro it was his first day of first grade. Alejandro seemed a little anxious and Marisol said it will take a little while for her to get used to the idea of leaving him in school.

“I’ll be worried about him. I did take the day off of work so I’m available just in case,” said Falero.

Robert McCullugh, who goes to Silver Lakes Elementary, said he was looking forward to heading back to class.

“I’m excited about if there have been any changes in the school,” said McCullugh. “Are there new art teachers, P-E teachers or music teachers?”

While he seemed calm, his mother Yolanda had a few jitters.

“It’s nervous but exciting. They are out of the house now,” she said.

Student Jasmine Rodriguez said in addition to seeing her friends again, she excited about all the games they will get to play.

In Broward County, the sixth largest school district in the country, about a third of the districts 260,000 students hopped a bus to get to school.

Last year, the district ran into a number of problems with their buses. Parents received bus routing information the weekend before school started, some buses were late on the first day of school while others didn’t show up at all.

Superintendent Robert Runcie said this year they’ve taken steps to avoid last year’s problems.

“The biggest challenge was not having enough bus drivers, we’ve addressed that problem,” said Runcie. “We’ve got more drivers than routes. The other thing is maintaining the stability of our routes.”

There are also other changes this year.

Academically, Runcie said, many fifth grade classes are going ‘digital,’ some underperforming schools have been ‘repurposed’ and he plans to fight for more education dollars at the state capital.

This is Runcie’s first tenure as a Superintendent after spending time working as a businessman and then holding several positions within the Chicago school system. It will be his third school year in Broward County.

He has received good reviews from the school board and has a good working relationship with the teachers.

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/changes-made-to-avoid-another-broward-school-bus-debacle/feed/0New Year, New Challenges For Miami-Dade Studentshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/school-bells-ring-across-miami-dade/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/school-bells-ring-across-miami-dade/#commentsMon, 19 Aug 2013 22:08:27 +0000cbs4maclauchlanhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=230643Nearly 350,000 students in Miami-Dade headed back to class Monday for the start of the new school year.]]>MIAMI (CBS4) – Parents across South Florida reunited with their children Monday afternoon, the first day of school done.

Celia Rundlet smiled as her parents picked her up at the Primary Learning Center in Downtown Miami. When asked how her day went she responded “Good.”

When asked if she took a nap, “I just rested,” she replied.

The four year old is being a bit coy about her first day at school. She actually barely made it.

“We got in from our vacation last night at 1:30 a.m. So she got about six hours of sleep,” said her dad Alex Rundlet. “She got dressed in the car in the parking lot. We lost our luggage last night.”

The district reported no problems with the 1,300 buses rolling out bright and early, drivers eager to get back to work.

Jacqueline Cheli’s child started kindergarten and seemed more nervous than her son.

“I feel like it’s my first day!” she said.

Despite the nerves, countywide the first day appeared to go smoothly. Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, running on no sleep, was a happy guy.

“Everything I wanted to see on the first day I saw. So I give it an A+ today,” said Carvalho.

When asked how many more days left in the school year he was quick to respond “179 and counting.”

The first day was actually historic. Middle schools countywide rolled out the new iPrep program; a high tech, interactive and very different approach to teaching.

“We actually trademarked the iPrep brand so we are willing to have discussions with others across the country in terms of replicating it,” Carvalho explained. “This is the way students live. It’s how they interact with each other. It’s how they access the information. Why not create a school that actually replicates a lifestyle.”

Students at South Miami Middle were excited to try it out.

“You guys are the pioneers of this school,” Leonor Fonseca, the school’s 16 year veteran math teacher, told the her students.

From the moment you step inside the iPrep classroom you can tell it’s different. They are big, colorful and lined with funky seats. Every child has a laptop or iPad. It really is a new frontier of sorts for math class.

“We are hoping that with the technology that number one they’ll remember and number two they’ll enjoy doing it. So it will be like one person likes it and it will be the domino effect,” Fonseca said.

It’s already working. Seventh grader Carolyn Pstana said it was a cool class.

“Some of my friends don’t have iPrep and they are asking me to tell them about it after school or call me up.” Pstana said.

Remember this is math class.

Deja Vaughn, a transfer was really surprised at how different the class was.

“At my old school we sat there and read a book the entire class. I felt like I was sitting there taking down information just to pass a test and this class I feel like I’m going to learn something in my life,” Vaughn said.

Fonseca is trying to adjust to the classroom as well. They have had technology lessons but she expects the learning to be a mutual thing. She’ll teach them math. They’ll teach her new technology.

“The norm has always been a teacher always talking and telling them what to do. Now we are letting them discover. And we are letting them understand and letting them find where they need to be,” said Fonseca.

The students will receive their assignments via the internet and they have the whole week to get it done. Homework is posted via a social network. Want to listen to music while you do it? No problem. Pstana, the seventh grader, bragged “Yeah it’s like a little mini-college experience.”

The iPrep program launches this week in every middle school in Miami-Dade County. Entry is by application only because the program isn’t cheap- $32 million dollars paid for with a federal grant that Carvalho personally pleaded to get. After seeing it in motion at a handful of schools Monday, Carvalho was intent on expansion.

“All that is in my mind is how many more can I create going into next year. If it’s good for some, it’s got to be good for everyone,” said Carvalho who hinted that Social Studies may be next.

As the program expands students will have a lot more responsibility. They’ll also lose the ability to blame the dog for eating their homework.

Vaughn quickly thought of a new excuse, “Maybe I can say my brother slobbered on the computer?”

]]>http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/school-bells-ring-across-miami-dade/feed/0Parents Try To Bully-Proof Kidshttp://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/parents-try-to-bully-proof-kids/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/parents-try-to-bully-proof-kids/#commentsMon, 19 Aug 2013 21:49:29 +0000cbs4maclauchlanhttp://miami.cbslocal.com/?p=230632As the kids head back to school, parents have prepared them for the typical ups and downs that come with any school year. Some parents have even prepared their kids for what to do if they encounter a bully.]]>MIAMI (CBSMiami) – As the kids head back to school, parents have prepared them for the typical ups and downs that come with any school year.

Some parents have even prepared their kids for what to do if they encounter a bully.

At Extreme Mixed Martial Arts in Kendall, instructor Michael Cardosa teaches his students self-defense to help protect themselves against a bully. Many of his students said they have experienced a bully before. Justin Perez said he’s been called bad words and bad names. Perez has been taking classes for 11 months.

“Ever since people knew I do MMA now they haven’t really wanted to mess around with me”, said Perez.
The kids learn how to fight but it is not the fighting the instructors promote.

“We do what we call – talk – tell – battle,” said Cardosa.

The ‘talk’ is for children to talk to their bully in effort to get them to leave them alone. The ‘tell’ is for them to tell their parents, school administrators or teachers that they are being bullied. The last one, ‘battle’, is for them to defend themselves if they have to.

Cardosa said they work with the kids to build their self-confidence. Perez is smaller in size compared to other kids. He said since taking classes at Mixed Martial Arts his confidence has improved dramatically.

“When I was in soccer, before I did this, I was afraid of getting hit and once I started doing this my confidence was much higher”, Perez said.

Justin’s father, Alex Perez, put him in MMA because he was worried about his son’s future in middle school. He said he wants his son to be comfortable in his own skin.

Cardosa said learning self-defense skills will not bully proof kids but it does teach a set of skills that will likely prevent them from becoming victims.

“The kids are more likely to stand up for themselves when they know they can defend themselves. When kids can’t back it up, they really won’t stand up for themselves,” Cardosa said.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties have anti-bullying policies.

Both school districts have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, harassment and intimidation. Bullying does not just happen at school it can happen online too — so parents keep a close eye on your children’s online activities.